Local News Now

The Co-Chair of the B.C Health Coalition shocked to see the latest numbers on people choosing medically assisted dying.

The BC Coroners Service reports between January of 2016 to June of 2018, 1,285 British Columbians opted for medically assisted suicide.

Rick Turner of Kamloops calls the statistics alarming and shocking, with one significant concern.

“We are told of instances where someone is an alcoholic and still can’t overcome their alcoholism. They are saying their situation is hopeless and I hope those folks continue to get help and that the medically assisted suicide situation is not being used in those instances.”

There were 215 medically assisted deaths in the Interior Health Authority, with Island Health leading with 522.